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Course and form stats for this week's event at TPC Sawgrass
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Scottie and Rory chase third Sawgrass victory
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Knapp would be a decent each-way selection
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For the latest Betfair odds click here
Contenders based on current form
Collin Morikawa @ 25/126.00
Has made an excellent start to 2026 thanks to a victory at Pebble Beach, since when there have been two more top-10s on tricky courses and in strong fields. He tops the FedEx Cup ranking and is third in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green. Was tied-10th at Sawgrass 12 months ago.
Sepp Straka @ 50/151.00
The four-time PGA Tour winner has opened the new season solidly. Tied-second at Pebble Beach and was 13th on Sunday at Bay Hill. Has posted three top-20s at Sawgrass where his 18 rounds are averaging a highly respectable 71.11.
Jake Knapp @ 55/156.00
An unlikely winner, but a potential each-way candidate. His worst finish from five starts this year on the PGA Tour is tied-11th. The 31-year-old from California is seventh in the FedEx Cup standings, and currently tops Scoring Average, while is second and fourth respectively for Strokes Gained: Total and Strokes Gained: Putting. Tied-12th on his second Sawgrass appearance last year.
Contenders based on course form
Scottie Scheffler @ 7/24.50
Two years ago the world No 1 became the first golfer in the history of the Players Championship to successfully defend his title. And going into this week's tournament he is the only pro teeing-up who, since the start of the decade, is averaging under 70 for 10 or more rounds played. Scheffler won his opening event of 2026, since when his finishing positions have got steadily worse. However, when your worst finish from five events in 24th, you don't really have too much to worry about.
Rory McIlroy @ 12/113.00
Another two-time winner at TPC Sawgrass. The 36-year-old hasn't tasted trophy success since last September, although four of his most recent eight starts have yielded podium finishes. Although early days, he currently leads the Strokes Gained: Total and Strokes Gained: Greens in Regulation tables, which are skills that should come in handy around a tricky venue such as TPC Sawgrass.
Hideki Matsuyama @ 35/136.00
Has unfinished business at Sawgrass where, in 2020, he led the tournament after 18 holes only for organisers to abandon the event due to the rapid rise of Covid infections. Four times a top-10 finisher here. Has made a solid start to the year and is currently 11th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Stroke Averages
Lowest 15 At TPC Sawgrass (2021-25)
Average .... (Rounds)
69.89: Scottie Scheffler (18)
70.08: Hideki Matsuyama (12)
70.40: Shane Lowry (20)
70.44: Corey Conners (18)
70.50: Daniel Berger (12)
70.50: Tom Hoge (20)
70.53: Si Woo Kim (17)
70.58: Aaron Rai (12)
70.67: Brian Harman (18)
70.79: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (14)
70.83: Min Woo Lee (12)
70.94: Tommy Fleetwood (18)
71.00: Justin Thomas (18)
71.11: Collin Morikawa (18)
71.11: Sepp Straka (18)
Min. No. of Rounds = 10
Only those entered this week are included in table
MC* - Missed Additional 54-Hole Cut
Note: List Contains Leading Reserves
Note: No Players Championship in 2020 due to pandemic
Check out The Punter's guide to the Players Championship